Roberto Martinez: Everton pair were ‘hurt’ by alleged racist abuse

Rival managers Roberto Martinez and Keith Curle united to condemn the alleged racist abuse of Everton players during the FA Cup fourth-round win at Carlisle.

The clubs pledged to work closely with police investigating the incident which came after Arouna Kone struck in the second minute to put the Toffees ahead at Brunton Park.

The goal set Everton on the way to a 3-0 victory in which Aaron Lennon and Ross Barkley also scored.

A public address system message soon after Kone’s goal announced any racist abuse would not be tolerated.

Martinez said it was his understanding some “racial remarks” had come from the Warwick Road End stand as Kone and Steven Pienaar celebrated the opening goal, and that both were “hurt” by what they heard.

A statement from Cumbria Police issued after the game said: “Cumbria Constabulary are investigating allegations of racist behaviour...directed towards Everton players following the first goal.

“Officers are making enquiries and the force is asking for those with information to get in touch.”

Carlisle boss Curle said in his post-match press conference: “It is not what we want inside Brunton Park, inside football, or inside society.

“The club will make all efforts. I know there was a steward in the terraces and CCTV as well. We will do everything we can to identify who it was and make sure the relevant penalties and punishments will be adhered to.

“I didn’t hear it myself, but what I would say to any supporters who were next to people and heard people - please step forward and identify them, because it is not accepted.”

Everton manager Martinez said: “We will help the police, Carlisle and everyone to make sure that it doesn’t happen again.”

Asked how Kone and Pienaar were feeling, he said: “They are okay.

“I think they were sensitive and hurt at that moment - probably they were fearful about the game developing into a difficult afternoon.

“But it was a one-off incident. As you know, there is no room for that sort of behaviour. But I must stress it was a very small minority and I want to believe that it was just an emotional reaction to the disappointment of conceding a goal.”

Curle, whose Sky Bet League Two side were the lowest-ranked outfit left in the competition, said: “Giving a Premier League side a two-goal start was not the ideal scenario, but credit to the players - they didn’t melt or fold.

“And you have to say, Everton were fantastic. A lot of credit has to go to a lot of people behind the scenes who worked to get this fixture on.

“To have 17,000 people inside Brunton Park was phenomenal.”

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